Making Mindfulness Accessible at Work – Going Beyond Meditation

Mindfulness has long been associated with meditation—a practice that, while transformative for some, can feel daunting for others.

This has always intrigued me, as I've encountered many professionals who express interest in mindfulness but struggle to sit still or commit to a daily meditation routine.

Enter ellen langer , a professor at Harvard and a pioneer in the field of mindfulness. Her groundbreaking research flips the traditional narrative of mindfulness on its head. Instead of focusing on sitting quietly and observing thoughts, Langer encourages us to engage with the world actively through the simple act of noticing new things.

I've been focusing on testing her approach to mindfulness in recent months, and found it to be hugely powerful. It's easier for me to be creative, I'm more focused on tasks I do and I'm enjoying everything more. And whenever I'm faced with challenges, I'm discovering so many different ways to reframe the challenge, making work and everyday life more fun and engaging.

The Power of Noticing

Ellen Langer’s experiments have shown that simply noticing novelty is a powerful mindfulness practice. Whether it’s observing slight variations in the color of the sky on your commute, experimenting with new ways to organise your desk, or even using your non-dominant hand for a task, these seemingly trivial acts can spark awareness. I encourage you to try it!

This form of mindfulness requires no special setup or tools, making it highly accessible. It invites us to cultivate curiosity, be present, and engage with life more fully—qualities that are deeply relevant in today’s fast-paced workplaces.

Benefits of Mindfulness at Work

So, how does this approach to mindfulness benefit the workplace? Langer's research, as well as studies inspired by her work, suggests that this simple approach to mindfulness can:

1. Boost Creativity: By encouraging employees to look for new ways of doing familiar tasks, mindfulness fosters innovation and fresh ideas.
2. Enhance Focus: Noticing small details keeps the mind engaged, reducing distractions and improving concentration.
3. Improve Emotional Well-being: A mindful attitude promotes resilience, helping employees adapt to challenges with greater ease.
4. Strengthen Relationships: When we are fully present, we communicate more effectively and listen empathetically—building trust and collaboration within teams.
5. Reduce Stress: The act of noticing gently pulls us away from ruminating on past mistakes or worrying about the future, grounding us in the present.

All this and more is backed up by 45 years of research, many of which are cited in her latest book, The Mindful Body.

Making It Accessible

What makes this approach so valuable is its accessibility. Mindfulness becomes something you can integrate seamlessly into your day without setting aside extra time. You might:

• Notice three new things about your workspace, commute or partner.
• Take a different route to the office.
• Experiment with how you phrase emails, and try something subtly different.
• Shift your perspective by imagining a problem through the eyes of a colleague.

These micro-changes require no meditation cushion or app, yet they can have a profound impact on your mindset and performance.

Research Example: Classical Musician's Subtle Shift Makes a Big Change

One of Ellen Langer’s many compelling experiments involved professional musicians. In this study, orchestra musicians were asked to perform a piece of music they had played many times before. Half the group was instructed to play it exactly as they always had, while the other half was asked to introduce subtle variations—such as changing their phrasing or dynamics in small, mindful ways.

Audiences overwhelmingly preferred the performances from the second group, describing them as more engaging and alive. Isn't that amazing?! This demonstrated that even seasoned professionals can bring fresh energy to their work by mindfully noticing and experimenting with new nuances, a principle that applies far beyond the concert hall and into everyday workplace tasks.

Imagine the power of trying this approach to your work?

Practical Tip

Try this tomorrow: At your next team meeting, notice one new thing about each person who speaks—whether it’s their tone, phrasing, or body language. Reflect on how this shifts your perception of the discussion.

Let’s Work Together

If you’re curious about how mindfulness can transform your workplace, I’d love to help. Whether you’re looking for a workshop, consulting, or tailored strategies, get in touch with me, Shamash Alidina. Together, we can make mindfulness both practical and powerful for your team to help boost creativity, focus, improve communication and wellbeing and reduce negative stressor, burnout and poor connections with each other.

Book a free call here to explore here: ShamashAlidina.com/call

Stay mindful, Shamash